Pouring ladle nozzle seat and method of making it



April 18, 1961 w. A. KAUPPI I 2,979,792

POURING LADLE NOZZLE SEAT AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Filed Nov. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //v VENTOR 2'7 I WALTER A. KA UPP/ I A florney April 18, 1961 w. A. KAUPPI 2,979,792

POURING LADLE NOZZLE SEAT AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Filed Nov. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Shee 2 M/VE/VTOR WALTER A. KAUPP/ A ffomey United States Patent POURING LADLE NOZZLE SEAT AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Walter Arthur Kauppi, Duluth, Minn., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,345

2 Claims. (Cl. 22-200) The present invention relates generally to apparatus for handling molten metal and more particularly has as its primary object the provision of an improved ladle nozzle seat and the method of making it.

This and other objects will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a ladle bottom prepared for pouring of the nozzle seat of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view partly in elevation taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the complete noz'zle seat of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings reference numeral 2 designates generally a hot metal ladle having a nozzle port 6 in its bottom 4 for receiving a refractory pouring nozzle 8. The interior bottom surface of the ladle is provided with spaced upright reinforcing ribs 9.

A stopper rod 10 having a nozzle stopper 12 on the end thereof is located above the port 6 and is connected with operating means disposed on the outer 'wall of the ladle.

A reinforcing ring 18 surrounds the port 6 on the exterior bottom surface and a cast iron nozzle plate 20 having a center opening communicating with port 6 is disposed subjacent the reinforcing ring 18. The ring 18 and plate 20 are afiixed to the ladle bottom by means of four spaced nuts and bolts 22. The bolts pass through the plate 20, ring 18 and the bottom of the ladle and are fitted with their heads countersunk in the ladle bottom 4.

The structure thus far described is conventional except for the nozzle seat of my invention which will now be described in detail.

The nozzle seat of the invention consists of a cast iron block 24 which surrounds the nozzle 8 and is afiixed to the bottom of the ladle by means of four bolts 26 which pass through the reinforcing ring 18 and the bottom 4 of the ladle and are imbedded in the block 24. Nuts 27 secure the bolts in position.

A clearance space, as at 28, is provided between the periphery of the nozzle 8 and the surrounding portions of the ladle bottom and the reinforcing ring 18. A projection 30 of the block 24 fits into space 28. The nozzle plate 20 fits snugly around and supports the nozzle 8. Thus, the nozzle 8 is supported along substantially its entire length by means of the block 24, projection 30 and nozzle plate 20.

In forming the nozzle seat of the invention a substantially square mold is formed around the port 6 above the bottom of the ladle. Two sides of the mold are formed by reinforcing ribs adjacent the port 6 and refractory brick 32. The other two sides of the mold are formed by refractory brick 34. After the block 24 has been cast the brickwork forming the mold is removed. Nozzle 8 2 positioned in the port 6 serves as the core of the mold. A light coating of fireclay 23 is applied to the nozzle before block 24 is cast, but this coating does not extend to the portion of the nozzle that fits into and projects below the nozzle ring 20. Bolts 26 are positioned around the nozzle 8 with portions of the shanks thereof projecting .downwardly of the reinforcing ring 18 before the block 24 is cast. The four bolts 26 are each held in place by a relatively small steel key 29 welded to the bolt shank on the inside of the ladle. With the keys in place the nuts are pulled up tight to hold the bolts uprigh dun'ng casting.

After the mold has been prepared, the nozzle positioned and the bolts 26 properly set up, molten iron is cast into the mold to form the block 24. The molten iron is poured to a height slightly below the top of the nozzle. During casting a portion of the molten iron fills the space 28 to form the projection 30 of the block 24. The fireclay coating on the nozzle prevents the nozzle from sticking in the block.

It will be noted that the cast iron nozzle seat of my invention not only provides support substantially along the entire length of the nozzle but also eliminates the use of ganister for setting the ladle nozzle. Prior to my invention it was necessary to use ganister in great quantities around the nozzle. This presented the problem of thoroughly drying the ganister and obtaining and maintaining proper alignment of the nozzle. As is well known it is of utmost importance that all materials coming into contact with molten metal be absolutely dry. If the material is not dry hazardous explosions will result. With my invention there is only a very small amount of ganister required at the top of the cast iron seat around the nozzle as at 36 to seal the seat and the nozzle. Such a small amount of ganister can be dried without difficulty.

Through use of the nozzle seat of the invention, each replacement nozzle is automatically correctly aligned in the ladle bottom. Correct alignment reduces stickers in the mold to be filled by the ladle and increases mold life because of straighter pouring into the mold. The fact that the molten metal being teerned can be directed straighter into the mold improves ingot surface quality. Correct nozzle alignment also insures proper functioning of the nozzle stopper mechanism of the ladle. This results in safer working conditions. The use of the nozzle seat of the invention also reduces the danger of damage to the nozzle and the stopper so that costly loss of molten metal through cracked or leaking nozzles and stoppers is substantially eliminated.

It is important to note that the nozzle seat of my invention is poured of cast iron in each individual ladle, thus the nozzle seat conforms to any and all irregularities of the ladle bottom. Although not restricted thereto the nozzle seat of the invention is preferably poured into a form having sides approximately 14 inches long and to a height which varies according to the length and shape of the nozzle to be used. The four bolts 26 which are imbedded in and become part of block 24 when it is cast provide the means for holding the nozzle seat of the invention securely in the ladle. Once the block 24 is cast in the ladle it becomes a permanent installation and requires no further adjustment. In the event that it is desired to remove the block for any reason, this is easily done by removing the nuts 27 from the bolts 26. In order to further facilitate removal of the block 24 fireclay 25 is used to create clearance for the studs of the reinforcing ribs 9.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The method of forming a nozzle seat in the bottom of a pouring ladle having anozzle port extending therethrough including the steps of forming a mold on the upper surface of said bottom around said nozzle port, inserting a nozzle into said nozzle port, and then initially prior to filling the ladle casting metal in said mold to thereby form a seat around said nozzle.

2. The method of forming a nozzle seat as defined by claim 1 including the step of applying a thin coating of refractory material on the exterior of said nozzle along nozzle port.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baldt Nov. 5, 1901 Stevens Dec. 20, 1904 McCullough Feb- 14, 1922 Sage Oct. 8, 1955 Storm Sept. 23, 1958 Nirmaier Dec. 30, 1958 

